Complete schedule for the upcoming Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling showcase of rising global talent. However, the inclusion of Pakistan’s hockey team in the schedule has caught everyone off guard.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has already confirmed that their junior team will not participate in the tournament, which takes place in Tamil Nadu from 28 November to 10 December 2025.
The schedule, released at a ceremony in Chennai, places Pakistan in Group B alongside India, Chile, and Switzerland. The Green Shirts’ campaign was set to begin on November 28 against Switzerland, followed by a clash with India the next day, and concluding their group stage with a match against Chile on December 2.
Despite being named in the official schedule, Pakistan will not be at the Junior Hockey World Cup. This development follows the country’s recent withdrawal from the Asia Cup 2025 in Bihar, which had a senior World Cup slot on offer. At the time, an unnamed government source stated that the decision was based on “serious security concerns,” citing a “relentless smear campaign against Pakistan” in Indian media and threats from extremist groups.
The same security concerns are now at the forefront for the Junior World Cup. With the government having already prevented the senior men’s team from crossing the border for the Asia Cup.
This ongoing impasse highlights a growing trend where political discord directly impacts sporting ties between the two nations.
For the young athletes of Pakistan’s junior team, it means a missed opportunity to compete at the highest level and gain invaluable international experience. Absence of Pakistan will not only disappoint fans but also diminish the competitive spirit of the Junior World Cup.
